Seaton, Devon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Seaton |
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 Seaton, overlooking beach and seafront |
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 Seaton
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| Population | 8,413 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | SY239900 |
| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SEATON |
| Postcode district | EX12 |
| Dialling code | 01297 |
| Police | Devon and Cornwall |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Seaton is a lovely seaside town in East Devon, England. It sits on the south coast, facing Lyme Bay. Seaton is part of the famous Jurassic Coast, which is a World Heritage Site. The town has a long shingle beach and a small harbour on the River Axe estuary.
In 2011, about 8,413 people lived in Seaton. The wider area, including nearby Beer and Colyton, had around 12,815 residents in 2012. Many homes in Seaton are lived in by one person, and a lot of the residents are older adults.
Contents
Seaton's Long History
People have lived in the Seaton area for a very long time. Farmers were here 4,000 years before the Romans arrived! There were also Iron Age forts on nearby hills like Seaton Down and Hawkesdown Hill.
Seaton as an Ancient Port
During Roman times, Seaton was an important port. Even though the Roman remains are now reburied to keep them safe, they show how busy this place once was. Later, in Saxon times, the town was called Fluta or Fleet, which means "creek." The town of Fleet was officially started in 1005 AD. The name Seaton first appeared in a document from Pope Eugenius in 1146.
For many centuries, Seaton was a key port. It provided ships and sailors for King Edward I's wars. But in the 14th century, big storms caused a landslide. This partly blocked the river mouth, and a shingle bank began to grow. When the railway arrived in 1868, the harbour became less used.
Amazing Roman Coin Discovery
In 2013, a metal detector enthusiast named Laurence Egerton made an incredible find. He discovered about 22,000 copper-alloy Roman coins! This collection, called the "Seaton Down Hoard," is one of the biggest and best-preserved groups of 4th-century Roman coins ever found in Britain.
The church in Seaton was built in the 14th century. Its strong, square tower was added in the 15th century.
The Railway and Holiday Fun
Seaton got its own railway line in 1868. This line connected Seaton to the main railway network. The railway was very popular and helped Seaton grow into a holiday spot. It even had one of the world's first concrete bridges, built over the River Axe in 1877.
As more people bought cars in the 1960s, fewer people used the train. So, the railway line closed in 1966. Today, the closest train station is in Axminster, about seven miles away.
Part of the old railway track was bought in 1969. It was used to build the Seaton Tramway, which opened in 1970. This tramway connects Seaton with Colyford and Colyton.
Seaton as a Holiday Destination
Seaton became a popular holiday resort in the 1800s, and it still is today! A Warners holiday camp opened in 1935, making it easy for people to visit. However, Seaton's largest holiday camp closed in 2009.
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Many buildings in Seaton are from the Victorian era. There are also interesting buildings from the 1930s and later. Seaton Town Hall, which is now used as a theatre, was finished in 1904.
Modern Developments in Seaton
Since 2003, there have been plans to improve the area east of the town centre, near the River Axe. This area used to be a floodplain. In 2011, a million tons of sand were brought in by sea to raise the ground above flood level.
A large supermarket and petrol station were built on part of this land. A Jurassic Coast Discovery Centre also opened nearby in 2016. More homes are planned along the riverside. In 2019, work started on a new skate-park for the town.
Getting Around Seaton
Seaton is located just off the A3052 road. This road connects Exeter to the west and Lyme Regis to the east.
The nearest train station is Axminster, which is about 7 miles (11 km) away. From Axminster, you can catch a train to Exeter or London Waterloo.
Local buses, run by AVMT Buses, connect Seaton to nearby towns and villages. These include Axminster, Branscombe, Sidmouth, Colyton, Beer, and Lyme Regis. Other bus services go to Exeter and Taunton.
Seaton is also on Route 2 of the National Cycle Network, which is great for cyclists.
Seaton's Natural Wonders
Geology of the Coast
The cliffs around Seaton are very interesting for geologists. To the east, you can see red cliffs made of Triassic rocks. These are topped by younger Cretaceous rocks and then by chalk. The Seaton Fault, visible at Seaton Hole, causes the tall chalk cliffs near Beer Head. Like much of this coast, the cliffs here can have landslides, which means coastal paths can be risky.
Amazing Wildlife in Seaton
The area around Seaton is full of wildlife! The countryside has old woodlands with bluebells, important hedges, and special grasslands.
Near Beer, there are rare chalk grasslands with many flowers. The Axe Estuary and the River Axe are very important for water-loving animals. East of the Axe is the Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs National Nature Reserve. This huge area of cliffs and landslides has important woodlands and grasslands, and its geology is very special.
West of the Axe, you'll find several nature reserves, known as Seaton Wetlands. These include Seaton Marshes, Black Hole Marsh, and Colyford Common. These reserves have freshwater marshes, lagoons, and bird hides. They are home to many different birds and mammals.
You might spot Eurasian otters on the River Axe and in the Seaton marshes. Dormice live throughout the area. Near Beer, there are man-made caves that are important for many types of hibernating bats, including the very rare Bechstein's bat. The Axe Estuary is a key place for wildfowl and wading birds like Eurasian curlew in winter. In summer, you'll see lots of butterflies and dragonflies.
Fun Things to Do in Seaton
The Seaton Tramway offers a 3-mile (5 km) ride through the Axe and Coly valleys. It goes alongside the Axe estuary, giving amazing views of the nature reserves and wildlife. The Seaton tram station, opened in 2018, has a gift shop and a diner.
Pecorama is a fun tourist attraction about 2 miles (3 km) west of Seaton, in Beer. It's run by the model railway company Peco. Here, you can ride the Beer Heights Light Railway and see many model railway layouts.
The Seaton Jurassic Centre opened in 2016. It was an experience that told the story of the Jurassic Coast's natural history. It closed in 2021 but is planned to reopen as Jurassic Discovery, run by Seaton Tramway. A soft play area and cafe opened in March 2024, with the rest of the centre opening later in the year.
Local Economy
Seaton's location, surrounded by floodplains and hills, makes it hard for the town to expand. This has made it tricky for local job growth. However, in 2010, a big redevelopment project started. New business sites were created, bringing more year-round jobs to the town.
Media and Communications
Local TV news for Seaton comes from BBC South West and ITV West Country. You can listen to local radio stations like BBC Radio Devon, Heart West, Greatest Hits Radio South West, and East Devon Radio. The local newspaper, Midweek Herald, is published every Wednesday.
From 1976 to 1990, Seaton was home to a training college for broadcast engineers.
Twin Town
Seaton is twinned with Thury-Harcourt-le-Hom in France. This means the two towns have a special friendship and often exchange visits.
See also
In Spanish: Seaton (Devon) para niños
